Brooklyn’s Books

Books have not necessarily been synonymous with Brooklyn historically. But things can change and with the summer upon us, why not use this opportunity to encourage our kids to get off their devices and open a book?

Brooklyn’s Public Library has a wonderful summer reading program.  Developed in an effort to encourage young readers to take advantage of the library and not stop their reading once school is out, this year’s theme is “Universe of Stories.”  According to CEO and President of Brooklyn Public Library, Linda Johnson said:

“Being away from school over those months really can result in children losing some of the skills they’ve gained over the school (year), so we are here with our librarians and our staff helping children read all summer long and giving the incentives to read all summer long.”

Brooklyn’s Public Library is doing more than just encouraging kids to read over the summer.  It recently revealed design plans of its smallest (and newest) addition: the Adams Street Library in DUMBO.  This will be the first new branch of the library in 36 years.  Featuring a meeting room, multipurpose space and different sections for adults, teens and children, as well as suggestions put out by community members.

Kensington Library to Enjoy Longer Hours Beginning in September

Saturday hours are being restored to many branches of the Brooklyn Public Library system, including the Kensington branch library located at 410 Ditmas Avenue between East 4th and East 5th Streets.

Last year the Brooklyn Public Library, the fifth largest library system in the country, reacted to budget cuts by choosing to forego weekend library hours rather than lay-off union employees.

The libraries which will now be open on weekends owe their good fortune to a union-rule change which will force union employees to do basic library tasks during regular library hours instead of during overtime hours. About half of all the Brooklyn branches will benefit, bringing the number of libraries which will stay open six days a week up to 32, while the other 28 branches will still be open only five days each week.

“We are very excited to offer increased hours to our patrons at a time when they need and are using our community libraries at record levels,” said Linda Johnson, the system’s new executive director.

No libraries in the system will be open on Sundays, but the re-organization which Johnson is augmenting will add about 8 hours of service to each branch, on average, beginning on September 10th.

Not everyone is excited by the increase in library hours. The president of the Brooklyn library workers’ union, Local 1482, Eileen Muller, complained that the new schedules will make it more difficult for library staff to prepare programs and will also make it more difficult for the custodians to clean the libraries.

“It would be easier for the staff if they had that extra time in morning,” said Muller. “Unfortunately, the library is trying to make light of the work we have to do behind the scenes.”